Incumbent Councilman Delrico Loyd celebrates with friends and supporters as the results come in with the official call that he has taken the 1st Ward City Council seat again, defeating Darryl Buchanan Tuesday evening at the Church Without Walls.
Hollyn Johnson | The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan -- A triumphant Delrico Loyd won re-election to the 1st Ward seat, but he didn't celebrate long before delivering a somber message to his supporters.

A man and a woman, both young adults, were shot to death in a home on the city's north side, only a few blocks from where Loyd was gathered with his campaign supporters at Church Without Walls Ministries.

"We have a lot of work to do," said Loyd, who won 797 votes compared to 648 votes for his opponent, Darryl Buchanan. "I will be vigilant in doing everything I can... to ensure these felonious crimes don't continue to occur in the city of Flint."

Loyd pledged to call on Mayor Dayne Walling and police Chief Alvern Lock to deliver a plan for dealing with crime in the city. He also said he would do everything he can to boost public safety measures.

As for his city council victory, Loyd didn't mince words.

"Tonight, the 1st Ward chose life over death," he said. "Tonight, the 1st Ward chose the future of the city of Flint."

Buchanan, former city administrator and councilman, congratulated Loyd on the win.

"I will continue working and teaching and being positive," said Buchanan, a part-time instructor at Baker College of Flint. "It was a good race. It didn't turn out our way, but life continues."

1st Ward City Council candidate and former city administrator, Darryl Buchanan sits with family and friends, from left, Billy McChester, Annette Earley, and Nova Jefferies as the results for the 1st Ward City Council seat come in at Buchanan's campaign headquarters. Buchanan lost the political race to Incumbent Councilman Delrico Loyd.
Hollyn Johnson | The Flint Journal